Sunday, 16 August 2009

Inglourious Basterds - Review

This is now my film of the year. From start to finish I was utterly engrossed in Tarantino's black comedy set in occupied France during the Second World War. It's not that it's laugh out loud funny, but it is cool as f***. Tarantino is the master of making movies for movie fans. Films that will stand the test of time and inspire love from the Tarantino devotees. This will be another of those films.

Brad Pitt and Eli Roth are the only, at least to English speaking film watchers, recognisable members of the cast, although Mike Myers puts in a brilliant cameo. Pitt is very good here, clearly loving the opportunity to ham it up for his role as the leader of the Basterds.

'The Basterds' are a group of Jewish soldiers sent behind enemy lines ahead of the D-Day landings to give a little bit back to the Nazi's. They scalp the ones they kill and carve a Swastika into the forehead of any they let live. This is, of course, utter fantasy, there was never any such unit. Their story is interwoven with that of Shosanna, a young Jewish woman living in Paris running a small Cinema. A German soldier, considered a War Hero, becomes infatuated with her and he arranges for a film premier to be screened there. Saying too much else would be spoiling a great plot.

There's always a worry that Tarantino will end up becoming a parody of himself but that's not in evidence with Basterds. It's a great film, beautifully shot, touching at times and with an ending that you just don't think for a second he'll dare with. This is not a film that worries about being historically accurate. But don't let that put you off. If you aren't a fan of baseball bats and skulls coming together (yes you do see it make contact, for those that wondered after the trailer), you might wanna pass.